Brazil's Most Expensive World Cup Stadium Has Leaky Roof

Preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil are facing more question marks after the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha roof leaked during a women's match between the host nation and Chile.

Eurosport reports the stadium in question was the most expensive built or repaired during the infrastructure overhaul to get the country ready for the World Cup next year and the Summer Olympics in 2016.

Brazilian government agency Secopa released a statement in the report, which states the issue was not one that would have a long-term impact on the stadium and that any matches played there for the World Cup would not be in danger:

Because it is a new, grandiose and complex stadium, some small points are still being corrected and tested, but there is nothing that compromises the running of the stadium or the holding of events there.

Although the agency doesn't sound overly concerned about the situation, the fact a stadium that cost more than $300 million to build has a leaky roof seven months after it was opened is the latest in a string of concerns as Brazil prepares to host the World Cup.

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A more serious situation occurred last month. Mariano Castillo of CNN reported two workers were killed due to a construction-site accident after a crane collapsed at the scheduled site of the tournament's opening match next summer.

The CNN report also mentions a third site where work was brought to a halt by a judge because of fears about worker safety in the area.

Brazil suffered a setback last month when a judge ordered the suspension of construction at another host venue due to safety concerns.

The judge stopped work at the Arena da Baixada, in the city of Curitiba, over concerns that workers were in danger of "being buried, run over, falling from heights and being hit by material, among other serious risks.

Each setback puts even more pressure on the country to finish the stadiums in time for the World Cup while also making the workplace environment more secure for those involved. Judging by the number of problems so far, it's a balance that has been difficult to strike.

Officials will be less concerned about a leaky roof than some of the more serious issues they have encountered, but this latest incident is still worth monitoring.